Hi my name is Josh I work for the US Forest Service in the
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
We're out in the National Scenic Area someplace that you're probably going to
do a bit of hiking, or at least some outdoor activities so
it's always a good idea to bring your 10 essentials.
Today we're going to talk about those 10 essentials.
So we're going to talk about the importance of the 10 essentials. They're
essential because some of it's the first aid kit those
emergency supplies, the weather changes and food.
I mean you might go out a little bit longer than you would expected so it's
always good to have some snacks with you. You need something to carry them in like
a nice backpack. And when you have those with you, at
least you're going to be prepared for something that you know maybe the
weather forecast wasn't exactly right and there you go you got
you got your stuff. So we're going to go through my
backpack, show you what the 10 essentials are and it's good to
pack your own backpack so you know exactly where it is. I don't
know how many times someone's like yeah I've got it in there
but I don't know where it's at because I didn't pack my backpack, so pack your
backpack. I like to keep my first aid kit near the
brain or the top or somewhere easy to access in your
backpack. First aid kit you know, band-aids,
ointments, you know maybe it'll change for where you're at, like here
in the Northwest we have poison oak, it might be good to
have like a small bottle of a soap that can take away those oils.
Definitely some bandages of varying sizes, you know might get an elbow scrape so
it's good to have one that can go around there
waterproof stuff like that and then within there
I got a multi-tool
which has knife, pliers, screws and stuff like that. You know
multi-tools are great, it gets all the things into one spot.
Knife as well in case you are stuck out longer and have to do
an unfortunate overnight stay. Leading off of the unfortunate overnight
stay, so maybe you're actually not too far
away good flashlight make sure the batteries
are good, bring extra batteries. Coldness, weather, all that type of stuff
can you know ruin that battery life.
Another emergency thing, having that whistle.
A typical three bursts of a whistle is the emergency signal for hey I need
some help. So good to have that.
Again firestarter in case things didn't go as planned
be aware of fire restrictions especially out in the wilderness,
keep our forest green, don't burn it down, last resort if you definitely need it.
Some string helps because it can help you make shelter,
tie up something that broke unexpectedly. There's been some times where I've been
glad to have it older backpack, maybe a buckle breaks.
There you go you have that. So we've got first aid kit and emergency supplies.
And we'll open this up,
sunglasses are a good idea to have, keeps those uv lights
out of our eyes helps you see during bright sunny days
and also speaking of the sun getting some
sunscreen, whatever one works for your skin that type of stuff.
Also important water
and extra water, during the hot summer months gallon per person
per day. I can't stress that enough, you get dehydrated
you can become a little bit delirious and that increases the chances that
search and rescue will need to be called and have a fun day don't get lost don't
get hurt all that type of stuff.
To help with the fun, we're in the Northwest so having an
extra jacket, either a rain shell and a jacket or
like this one kind of serves as both it's warmer than
just a rain shell itself but bring your waterproof gear.
Extra clothes because wet clothes are cold clothes,
it could be a sunny day one hour and then it could be damp,
if you didn't bring extra clothes
hypothermia can happen and it happens quick so extra dry clothes
you know maybe you don't need it when you're out but once you get to your car
if you have like a long trip home, you can just switch
into them and it's still nice.
Snacks and food, again you might not have planned to go out just for an hour
and it ended up being three hours so it's good to bring extra food and snacks.
Also for the sun, it's nice to have a hat, I've already got one on but
you know what if this blew away I need to put on my Smoky Bear hat.
Part of the other 10 essentials are good footwear.
Know your appropriate footwear, do not go hiking in flip flops,
do not go snowshoeing in tennis shoes. Get the appropriate footwear, your feet
will be happy and that makes you happy.
So while you're out another thing that you're going to need
is a paper map. We might all have these fancy devices but again battery
dies, it gets cold it's going to die so paper
map, and what goes along with that a compass.
Take some time to learn how to use a compass, you know how to use one of these
and one of these together you don't need this thing.
So bring your 10 essentials and something to carry them with you,
it might even be good to have it in your car just stashed there as well.
So have a go bag, you're out there with your 10 essentials you'll be happy!